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ered with no other soil than sand from the attrition of the scattered blocks by the washing of the waves, and the decomposition of the coast-foliage and perished fruit of some cocoa-nut trees, and a few shrubs, which grow upon its narrow margin. Here are about fifty inhabitants, foreigners and Sandwich Islanders, whose business is to collect the buhe, a kind of slug or sea-worm, of a dark-brown color, which is found in water of fifteen or sixteen feet in depth, and obtained by diving. This delicacy is preserved with lime and salt, and, after being dried in the sun, is packed in large quantities, and carried to the Chinese market, where it fetches no small price.

This evening a messenger came from Keaumoku, the governor of Maui, to request two of the missionaries to visit him. He had been greatly alarmed by a dream, in which he saw the whole island on fire, and all the water in the surrounding sea could not quench the flames. He had sought for safety, but in vain; he could find no shelter. Awaking in horror, therefore, he grasped at the hope set before him in the gospel. This, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Bingham faithfully unfolded to the dreamer, and to the persons assembled round him. These consisted of a goodly number of chiefs, many of whom were lying on the floor learning to spell or read, and some to write. Thomas Hopoo, the native convert, offered a fervent prayer for the salvation of his countrymen, and Mr. Ellis delivered a suitable discourse on the name of Jesus.

July 31. This morning the afore-mentioned chief had an interview with Kaahumanu, when he proposed to her to unite with him in commanding all their people to attend to the palapala, that is, to their learning. She gave him an evasive answer, saying that by and by she would. He was not, however, thus to be put off, and told her plainly that she might do as she pleased, but, for his part, he should send all his men to be taught to read and write, and understand the great word. He proposes to build a large school-room immediately. The evening was spent in prayer and Christian discourse at his house, and the missionaries were requested to repair thither again by day-break to-morrow morning, to conduct family worship, which he says he is determined shall henceforth be daily performed under his roof. Upwards of sixty natives of rank were present, and all behaved with an

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affecting decorum which we have rarely seen at the public services.

Aug. 3. Keaumoku's example already produces some happy effect. The king has just been with us. After expressing high displeasure against those who are ever on the watch to ensnare him into drunkenness, folly, and violence, for their own mercenary ends, he declared that he and his chiefs would begin in earnest to learn to read next Monday, and that, when they had made some progress, all his subjects should be instructed.

CHAPTER XXII.

The King and Chiefs attend Divine Service-Royal Family learning to read-Anecdote-Juvenile Teachers-First Christian Marriage in the Sandwich Islands-Injunction against drinking ardent Spirits-Kamschatka Sledge-Watch-seal presented to Rihoriho-Deputation leave Oahu-Letter from Rihoriho to George IV.-Extracts from Auna's Journal in Hawaii.

Aug. 4. BEING Lord's day, the king and many of his principal people attended divine service. They were more becomingly dressed, and behaved with more decency than on any former occasion. Mr. Ellis's text was peculiarly appropriate at the present crisis, when symptoms of a favorable change are daily multiplying:-"How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him."-1 Kings xviii. 21. Again, in the afternoon, with equal felicity of application, our friend discoursed on those words of our blessed Savior;-"Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live."-1 John v. 25. We cordially reply, "Amen; even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

Aug. 5. This being "Monday," the king was punctual to his promise. He and his family began to learn their alphabet like little children. Mr. Ellis and Mr. Bingham were engaged with them all the forenoon. Mr. Thurston and we (the deputation) were at Keaumoku's. We attended again in the evening, and found all our scholars, old and young, diligently conning their lessons. This may be recorded as a

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great day for the Sandwich Islands. What was begun upon it may-nay, it must-influence, to an incalculable degree, the future state of all generations who shall dwell here, even to the end of time. We may quote a specimen of native teaching: Keaumoku, having made sufficient progress himself, was telling some of his people how to join a consonant with a vowel so as to produce a syllable; which he illustrated thus: "The consonant is Tani (the husband), and the vowel Vahine (the wife). Bring them together, they become one, and they are something; alone, they are nothing."

Aug. 9. The king continues not only very diligent in learning himself, but, so far as he knows, in teaching others. He is, however, very careful to have somebody near him to correct him when he goes wrong in leading the new way, lest his followers should err after him. The eagerness for instruction is so great, that all the little boys in the school are, daily, during their play-hours, in requisition as masters. Three chiefs, men of magnificent stature and lofty bearing, came early this morning to obtain a kumu, or teacher. They could engage none but a child, six years of age, lisping over its spelling-book. Finding, however, that he could tell his letters, and repeat his ba, be, bi, bo, bu, one of them caught him up by the arm, mounted the little fellow upon his own broad shoulder, and carried him off in triumph, exclaiming, "This shall be my kumu!" The lads, themselves, take great delight in reciting their simple lessons to the older folks, and helping their fathers and mothers to say their A, B, C. It is beautiful to behold one of these little ones standing up amidst a ring of grown people, with the eyes of all waiting upon him, earnestly hearkening to his words, and repeating them from his lips, that they may impress both the sounds and the import on their memory. Nor is the implicit confidence, with which they receive his instructions, delivered with the ingenuous gracefulness of boyhood in its prime, the least interesting circumstance connected with this "new thing in the earth." Did our Savior set a child in the midst of his disciples, to teach them how they must receive the kingdom of heaven, and shall He not, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, here, both ordain strength and perfect praise?

Aug. 11. The first Christian marriage that ever took place in these heathen isles was celebrated this morning. Thomas Hopoo and Delia, both inmates with the missionary family, joined hands, and avouched themselves husband and wife,

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INJUNCTION AGAINST ARDENT SPIRITS.

before a large congregation. Mr. Bingham performed the ceremony, Mr. Ellis prayed, and we had the satisfaction to sign the register, as witnesses of the contract. Mr. Ellis afterwards preached from Rev. xxii. 17 : “Let him that is athirst And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." At the close of the discourse a man said, “I shall take this and tie it up in my cloth;" alluding to the practice of binding up dollars, or any thing particularly valuable, in one end of their maro, the girdle about their waist, which is, indeed, the only clothing of most persons here.

Aug. 13. This day Karaimoku, king of Tauai, Kaahumanu, his wife, the governor of Maui, and their retinue of chiefs and servants, consisting of nearly twelve hundred persons, sailed for the leeward islands, on board of two brigs and two schooners, the decks of which were so crowded that the people could scarcely find room even to stand. The object of their majesties on this expedition was to receive homage and presents from their subjects, and to collect sandal-wood. They took several persons with them as teachers, and among others our companions from Huahine, Auna and his wife, of whom they promised to take the kindest care. On their departure, Kaahumanu left express commands to her people here to leave off drinking spirits. This injunction extended to Rihoriho himself, who is greatly under her influence. It will be recollected that she was one of the wives of his late father, Tamehameha. This royal ordonnance against drunkenness was proclaimed from house to house throughout the town of Honolulu by the public crier employed on great occasions. Though this may have no very extensive effect, yet it is a good omen, and cannot altogether fail.

Aug. 15. On board the Piddler, captain Meek, we saw a curious sledge from Kamschatka, made to be drawn upon the snow and ice-tracts by four or six dogs. The animals are harnessed by their necks with leather straps, and, instead of being guided with reins, are preceded by another dog that is loose, to lead the way; his own course being directed to the right or the left by the sound of a rattle, which the driver uses as occasion requires. The sledge itself is of ingenious construction, hollow like a canoe, three feet and a half in length, twelve inches across, and fourteen high in the lower part, but thrice as much at each end. The rider sits with his back inclined against the after part, his legs thrown over the sides, but resting on a ledge beneath, while he holds by a thong

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extending from side to side of the front part. The dogs will travel at the rate of eight or nine miles an hour, drawing nearly ten hundred weight, including the driver and his luggage.

Aug. 16. The king having expressed great admiration of a watch-seal belonging to Mr. Bennet, the latter presented him with it as a token of friendly remembrance. Rihoriho gladly accepted it, and promised to adopt the arms and motto engraven upon it as his own.

Aug. 22. Ever since the arrival of the Mermaid, we have been packing and preparing for our return by her, according to agreement, to the Society Islands. This morning we sailed out of the harbor with a fair wind, amidst the cheers and salutes of all the vessels, and in sight of multitudes of natives whom we left standing on the shore. We had previously taken a most affectionate leave of the American missionaries, and bade farewell to the king, his family, and those chiefs with whom we had formed an acquaintance, during our residence of five months here, as "the prisoners of the Lord," having been providentially detained for purposes which future time will gradually reveal, but eternity alone can estimate.

Soon after we had gone on board, we were surprised by the appearance of Kamamalu, the favorite queen of Rihoriho, who had been absent at our parting with him, paddling towards our vessel, in a canoe, with only one attendant. When she had come within a bowshot, she sprang out of the canoe, dived into the sea, and emerged just under our ship's side, up which she readily climbed, and was presently on deck, expressing at once her joy and her sorrow-her joy on overtaking us before we had sailed, and her sorrow at our departure. After taking leave of us, her majesty jumped into the sea again, swam to her little boat, into which she flung herself with inimitable dexterity (the most skilful of our seamen would have overset a canoe with attempting thus to board it), seized a paddle, and quickly reached the shore.

The king had behaved in the most liberal manner to captain Kent, both on the former and the latter occasion, while he was in this harbor; having daily sent provisions for the supply of his whole crew. Before the ship sailed, at this time, he furnished à stock of hogs and goats, likely to serve for the whole voyage, and as many vegetables as could be used while they were eatable. Captain Kent was also charged